Earthworm castings are chock-full of enzymes, bacteria, and microbes that are good for your lawn. But, you can have too much of a good thing. How to manage earthworm castings on your lawn? Mow high, limit food supply, lessen moisture in soil, and rake them up.
Known for being nutrient-rich (more on their benefits later), earthworm castings can distract from your lawn’s aesthetics if the amount becomes excessive. By implementing these management tips, you can still reap their benefits without having to sacrifice your lawn’s appearance.
But First, What Are Earthworm Castings?
Short answer: worm poop.
After feeding on decaying stems, roots, leaves, fungi, and animal byproducts in soil, a worm’s digestive system breaks down all that food, ultimately releasing the excess as organically rich excrement.
What do earthworm castings look like? Picture mud balls about the size of a quarter scattered atop a lawn. They’re typically dark brown or black in color, easily crumbled, and packed with nutrients — think iron, magnesium, zinc, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
If you see them on your lawn, know this means you’ve got great soil, and consequently, healthy grass. Typically, you’ll spot worm castings in spring and fall when there’s more moisture in the ground.
How to Minimize Earthworm Castings on Your Lawn
While you don’t want to completely get rid of all worm castings, you can clear away some and/or minimize the sight of them with the following tips:
Mow Your Lawn High
Letting your grass grow a bit taller (about three to four inches in height) will effectively hide all evidence of earthworm castings. Plus, mowing high will also encourage strong grass roots and help prevent weeds and pests. Win-win? Absolutely.
Control the Amount of Moisture in Your Soil
Growing a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grass? This means you won’t have to add supplemental water to your lawn, which tends to draw lawn worms to the surface of your soil where they drop their doo. Without this added hydration, earthworms will retreat deeper into your soil where they can find the moisture they seek.
Limit Earthworm Food Sources
Rather than getting rid of worm food altogether, cut back on the amount. This will help lower your earthworm population but still keep just enough worms around to benefit your yard. Here’s how:
- Reduce thatch (Learn when and how to dethatch your lawn with our guide here.)
- Bag grass clippings
- Rake up leaves
Rake the Worm Castings
To break up clumps of worm poop so they’re less visible, rake them when they’re dry. This will not only make castings more difficult to see, but it will also distribute them in your soil, providing it with necessary nutrients.
Another option? Don’t break up the clumps with your rake; instead, gather them into larger piles. Then, transport those piles into your compost bin for later use.
What Are Earthworm Castings Good For?
Of course, there is no harm in leaving the earthworm castings on your lawn. With all those nutrients present, earthworm castings can be considered a type of organic fertilizer. Also known as “black gold” and “vermicompost,” these worm castings naturally improve the quality of your soil in a slew of ways:
- Aid in soil aeration
- Increase water holding capacity
- Decrease chance of nutrient leaching
- Encourage proliferation of microbes (microbes feed on worm poop)
- Boost grass growth with slow-release nature
- Reduce thatch by decomposing layers of organic matter
- Prevent lawn diseases, pests, and weeds
For even more information on how earthworms help your lawn, grass, and soil, read our guide.
FAQ About Earthworm Castings
Can you buy earthworm castings?
If you rarely ever notice worm castings in your lawn, it could mean your soil needs more nutrients. But, good news: You can purchase worm castings online or at your local hardware store for use on your lawn.
Every couple of weeks to every few months, sprinkle a couple handfuls of worm castings on top of your soil. Don’t worry about overdoing it with frequency, as you can’t overapply worm castings.
Do earthworm castings smell bad?
Worm poop smells like poop, right? Not exactly. While some people say worm castings smell like the earth and soil, others report castings having no smell at all. So, if you’re worried about stinking up your yard by leaving them be (or applying store-bought castings), don’t.
Do you still need to use fertilizer if you use worm castings?
Yes. The main benefits of earthworm castings are the enzymes, microbes, and bacteria present in them. They don’t contain high enough amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to feed your lawn, though. Always be sure to use an organic or synthetic fertilizer along with your castings.
Hire a Pro to Handle Lawn Upkeep
Excess worm castings can make lawn mowing tasks difficult by getting caught in the blades and creating a muddy-like mess. But, hire a lawn care pro near you, and you won’t have to worry about bothering with such tasks. Besides mowing your lawn at the right height to create a uniform, well-manicured look, these pros can also edge your lawn and blow away all leftover debris.
Main Photo Credit: Kris Lord / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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